For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADVANCED EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (AEMT). An individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care at least equal to the National Standard Training Program for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician as defined by the United States Department of Transportation and has been certified as an emergency medical technician by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services.
ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (ALS). An ambulance services that includes the necessary equipment and staff to render advanced life support services (e.g. advanced airway procedures, defibrillation, and medication administration).
AMBULANCE. Any privately owned vehicle that is specially designed, constructed or modified and equipped with the intention to be used for and maintained or operated for the transportation on the streets and highways of this state for persons who are sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.
AMBULANCE PROVIDER. An individual, firm, corporation or association who engages or
professes to engage in the business or service of transporting patients in ambulances in non-emergency situations.
APPROVED. Approved by the North Carolina Medical Care Commission pursuant to the latter's rules and regulations promulgated under G.S. § 143B-165.
BASIC LIFE SUPPORT (BLS). An ambulance service that includes the necessary equipment and staff to render basic services (e.g. control of bleeding, delivery of babies, splinting fractures).
COUNTY. The County of Greene Board of Commissioners or their designated representative.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT). An individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care at least equal to the National Standard Training Program for emergency medical technicians as defined by the United States Department of Transportation and has been certified as an emergency medical technician by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Emergency Medical services.
FIRST RESPONDER. An organization with personnel trained in emergency medical care that is dispatched to the scene of a medical emergency for the primary purpose of providing emergency medical assistance to a patient until the ambulance and additional medical aid arrives. This is usually performed by fire departments and shall be certified through the N.C. Association of Rescue and EMS.
FRANCHISE. A permit issued by the county to an owner for the operation of an ambulance service.
FRANCHISEE. Any owner having been issued a franchise by the county for the operation of an ambulance service.
LICENSE. Any driver's license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under or granted by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
MEDICAL NECESSITY. Defined according to Medicare and Medicaid Guidelines, and is established when the patient's condition is such that use of any other method of transportation is not in the patient's best interest. In any case, other means of transportation could not be utilized without endangering the individual's health. Ambulance transportation is not considered medically necessary when any other means of transportation can be safely utilized.
MEDICAL RESPONDER. An individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care and first aid approved by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and has been certified as a medical responder by the N.C. Department of Human Resources, Office of Emergency Medical Services.
NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION. The operation of an ambulance for any purpose other than transporting emergency patients.
OPERATOR. A person in actual physical control of an ambulance which is in motion or has the engine running.
OWNER. Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or group of individuals acting together for a common purpose or organizations of any kind, including any governmental agency other than the United States.
PARAMEDIC. An individual who has completed a training program in emergency medical care at least equal to the National Standard Program for Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic as defined by the United States Department of Transportation and has been certified as an emergency medical technician - paramedic by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services.
PATIENT. An individual who is sick, injured, wounded or otherwise incapacitated or helpless such
that the need for some medical assistance might be anticipated while being transported to or from a medical facility.
(Ord. passed 10-19-20)